Program Overview

Recognizing the complexity of effective investment portfolio management, Wharton and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans together are offering courses to help investment and benefits professionals more strategically manage risk and their organization’s investment portfolios.

Four programs are offered on a rotating basis at either Wharton’s Philadelphia or San Francisco campuses. These programs are designed to broaden your understanding of the markets and your fiduciary responsibilities, strengthen your portfolio oversight, and provide the knowledge and tools to make more informed investment decisions.

Experience & Impact

Wharton faculty — led by Jeffrey Jaffe, PhD, an expert on corporate finance, investments, and money management — will apply their field-based research and the latest strategic insights to give you a strong foundation, theory, and practical application of investment management.

Each program offered is an independent unit that may be completed in any sequence, although we strongly encourage individuals with little investment programs experience to complete the Portfolio Concepts and Management program as a foundation prior to attending others.

Through lectures, exercises, and participation in an interactive case study, you will examine the latest thinking in portfolio investment and grow your confidence in your ability to evaluate investments with a broad, fundamental understanding of investment products and practices.

This program is for those who have a solid grasp of investment management fundamentals and seek to learn more, or have taken the Portfolio Concepts and Management program and are looking for the “next step.” It is assumed participants will already understand the basic principles of portfolio theory, performance evaluation, and risk/return.

Overall, you will:

Engage in a thorough and rigorous program that builds on participants’ existing knowledge base and experience.

Learn the latest trends in performance analysis and management.

Discuss advanced asset allocation topics.

Apply what you have learned in an interactive case study.

Who Should Attend

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans: Investment Courses is designed for International Foundation member trustees and other benefit professionals with varying levels of knowledge and experience, including administrators and staff, human resources and benefits professionals, corporate officers and executives, and finance personnel and investment managers. The courses also attract investment professionals and multiemployer and public plan trustees in both the U.S. and Canada.

Participants leave the program with an expanded peer network, plus specific tools and frameworks they can use to be more effective administrators and investment managers. They also gain new insight into the global marketplace and how it impacts their funds’ investment strategy.

Testimonials

The Foundation and Wharton continue to provide a stellar investment program. The curriculum and faculty present real-world information that I can take home and apply immediately. There is no doubt I will be a better trustee because of it.”

Michael Brown

Board Chairman, Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan

An incredibly deep dive into emerging markets that broadened not only my understanding of the markets but my fiduciary responsibilities.”

James Rossler Jr.

Trustee, Ohio School Employees Retirement System

Thought-provoking, mind-expanding yet understandable teaching from these professors who are very knowledgeable and experts in their fields. I will continue onward in the Wharton pathway of education for the board trustees.”

Barbara M. Phillips

School Bus Driver, Ashland City Schools and Board Trustee, Ohio’s School Employee Retirement System